Picture frame



0d. 1.1, 1932- w. M. STOCKMAN 9 ,2

PICTURE FRAME Filed March 15 1952 J2 @CWZ.

Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT e -E wILLIAMMfs'rocKMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLnvoIs PICTURE, FRAME M i I Application filed March 15,1932.. Serial No. 598,991.

This invention relates to frames of the type adapted to hold a pictureor the like removably, and may be used either as a wall ...frame or a desk frame, and more particularly to a novel and improved method for constructing the same from a single sheet of metal, such for example as brass or the like.

In the construction of frames of this char- Macter heretofore used, the frame is built up from a number of sections whlch are rigidly securedto each other in any suitable and well known manner, such for example as welding or the like, withthe result that cer- .tain prominent seams will be present on the-' frame, which seams tend to mar the attracev tive appearance of the frame. In addition to that, the construction of Ia-frame in this manner is; comparatively expensive, as it in- "being performed by suitable dieswhereby the necessity for any fastening means or welding is entirely eliminated. I

The invention contemplates certain novel and improved steps in the formation of a pic- 'ture framefrom a singlepiece, ofsheet metal,

with the result that a highly-attractive frame is produced, which will be both easy and economical to manufacture along lines convenient for low cost production, while at the same timebeing highly efficient for carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

A further.v object .of this invention is the novel and improved method for construct ..-ing a picture frame from asingle sheet of metal, wherein the material wasted in the construction of the same is reduced to a minimum.

[ According to the invention, the frame is r. ,formed from a single blank of sheet metal,

such as brass or the like, by suitable dies.

This blank of sheet metal after having been 7 cut to the desired size is notched at the corners and provided in the central portion sired shape and size. The next step in my improved method is to draw up the sides of the blank to form upwardly extending flanges, the free edges of some of saidflanges being then turned at right angles to form guide rails. The notches provided in the T blank before the drawing up of the sides of the same will permit the ready turning inwardly of said 'side flanges without there being any overlapping of material at the corners. The complete operation of the forma" tion of the frame is thus accomplished by, Q suitable dies, one ofwhich will blank and notch the sheet of metal, and the other of which will draw outthe same to form the side flanges and guide rails.

By constructing a frame with this 'im proved method it should be readily apparent that not onlyis there eliminated the neces-f' sity for securing the different sections of the i' frame to each other, but also a considerable saving in both labor and material is accomplished, with the result thatv a very attractive and durable frame is'produced at'a very low cost. w

With the foregoing andother objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel and improved steps in the method of constructlngj a picture frame, certain novel "features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in: the appended claim,it being understood that,

1 various changes in the form, proportion, size and-minor details of the structure andin the steps of the method may be made with out departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of-the advantages of the invention;

Forlthe purpose of facilitating an underm standing of my invention I have illustrated 1 in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my inventiom'its mode of construction and "assembly, and many of its advantages should'bereadily understood and appreciated. thereof with a picture opening of the de- Referring to the drawing in which the same characters of reference are employed had been drawn up at the sides to to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures ofthe drawm Figure 1 is a top plan view of a blank of sheet metal which has been notched at the corners thereof and from which my improved frame is to be formed ;-v

Figure2 is a viewin perspective of the,

In the method contemplated, of forming.

the. frame,a blank'lO of sheet metal, such for example as brass or the like, is'cut out atits central portion to form the picture openingll, said pictureopening being of any; desired shape, suc htforflexample as rectangular, circular,elliptical, or the like.

and of course, of any desired size. a It should be apparent that the jmetal cutf out of the blank 10 to form the opening ll' 'maybc utilizedas a blank for the formation of another picture frame-of reduced size-in the scribed. I -Atthesame time that the picture opening 11 is provided the upper and lower corners standing'side flanges 14 and 15,}the-up for thatwill be apparent from an inspectionmanner to be hereinafter more fully dew oftheblank mayb'efnotched as indicated at 12 and 13,:the shiapejofthe notches providedat12 at. the upper end of the blank being different (from that provided at13 at the lower end-thereof inorder to produce the construction illustrated in Figure 2 after the marginal edges of the blank havebeen drawn up, which is to be done in thenext stepfof my improved method. 1 I

Upon the completion of the notching of the "blank, theside edges thereof. are then drawn up by asuitable; die to form'theupstanding top flange 16 and the upstanding bottom flange 17 Bylreferen ce toFigure 2,

it will be noted 'that'the flange17, 'isfof a height which is considerably lessth an the height ithe flanges l4 and l5j-The reason of Figure 3 of thedrawing.

' The neXt step in the 'formationof the frame is the turning inwardly. of the .free

edges of'the top flanges'lt', 15. and 16 to. form the guide railso18 and'19andthe top rail i of". By providing thelnotches 12 will-be apparentthat-the turningdown of 50- said flanges 18,119 and 20 willfnot be interferedwithbytheoverlapping of the said flanges at 7 their meeting edges.

The completed frame will comprise the rectangulai front framing section. 21, upon the i outer marginal edges of whichlhave been formed the rearwardly extending side flanges 14 and 15, topfla-nge 16' and bottom flange 17, the said side flanges 14: and 15 terminating in the inwardly turned guide rails 18and 19 respectively. The top flange 16 also terminates in the inwardly turned flange 20.

The front 'ofthe frame willpresenta uniformi surface which is not marred by any welding. seams or the like, and may be readily decorated in anyapproved manner, such for example asby etching or the like, to pro duce. the[ desired ornamental appearance thereon." Obviously, the manner in'Which the frameisdecoratedis quite immaterial to the present invention, and various types of plans or ornate designs may be Iusedforthis Purpose. f

In its operative position, a back 30-isheld in placeby the flanges '18, 19 and20, prefera-- bly by frictional contact with the inner faces of said flanges, said back-serving to force;

the picture-31 an'dthe glass 32 firmly againstthe inner face of the framingsection 21; In

mounting the picture, the glass'32 is first inserted in place by sliding the same between the upper edge-of the bottom flange 17 and the inner faces of the flanges 18 and 19, The

picture 31i's secured-to the back of said glass in; any "suitable andfwell known manner so.

that the same maybe readilyviewedthrough 1,95 l

the opening 11 in the fframe- The back30 is preferably covered "with felt, velvet or 1 similar softfcus'hioning fabric, and is'of a i thickness corresponding to the distance be tween the back of the picture131 and the inner faces ofthe guide rails 18 and 19. "It'will'be noted that'the flange 17 is providedwith no' and 19 from the lower end of the frame,

Theback-30 may carry'the usual easel :(not shown), or the same may be provided with a pair of eyes or other hangers (not shown) for receiving the endsof V a picture wire or the like; whereby the assembled frame may be guiderail, so that the back 30 maybe readily slid into'position'under the guide rails 18- readily supported either in a standing or hanging position. When in. assembled posii tion it will be noted that the friction between the covering ofthe back, SOandrails l8an'd 19 is'suflicient to normally prevent the back from dropping outwlhen the ,frariaeis lifted from its support, whereas the upstanding either in a hanging or standingposition. I It will. of course, be understood that where flange 17 forms a supportfor the lower edge 1 of the glass when the assembled frame is 120,

frames of difl'erent shapes are .desired,..the. L blank of sheet metal willbe correspondingly o-va'ried. 'While I have shownfone, wayljinf which the invention may be carr'ied out, it-

ways and through otherforms ofmechanism than those'suggested herein, thesele'ction of'a gj will be'radily understood thatthe principles;

ofthe-QinVention 'may be utilized in. other,

specific embodiment being determinedmore particularly by the exigencies of use or the particular wishes of the user, and I reserve the right to make all such changes in and adaptations of the construction of my invention as fairly fall Within the scope of the accompanying claim when broadly construed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is A picture frame having a framing section provided with a picture opening centrally disposed therein, the side, top and bottom edges of said framing section being drawn up to form marginal upstanding flanges integral with eachother and with said framing section, one of said flanges being of a height substantially equal to one-half of the remaining of said flanges, the two upper corner portions of said upstanding flanges being cut away to a point substantially half- Way to the bottom of said flanges, the free edges of the top and side flanges being bent inwardly to form inwardly extending flanges to provide guide rails for the insertion of a back for holding a picture and glass in assembled position within the frame.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature.

WILLIAM M. STOCKMAN. V 

